A super trade unionist
“The first time I met Steve I wasn’t even expecting to see him at all. It was in the early 1990s and I was servicing amalgamated Local 55 in the Buffalo area.
“We had some apprentice mechanics from area car dealers who were graduating, and I sent a graduation notice to Steve as a matter of courtesy. He was vice president then, and I didn’t really expect him to come all the way to Buffalo for just 12 graduating apprentices.
“The next thing I know is we are at the graduation ceremony and in walks Steve. We were all awestruck to think that a union vice president would take the time and come all that way for such a small affair. But that was so typical of Steve. He was a great person, a loyal friend and a super trade unionist.
“When I was elected regional director, I remembered he called and said how happy he was to have another woman elected to the International Executive Board.
“He encouraged all of us to do better by how he framed the issues. When he said so many times that we in organized labor are a social movement, he hit on our social responsibility as union members to give something back to the communities and the people we come from.
“Now I tell people that you can’t play with two catchers’ mitts. You have to take one of them off in order to throw something back.”
Geri Ochocinska is director of UAW Region 9.
Vision and foresight
“Steve Yokich was the ideal man to lead the UAW into the 21st century. A good example of his vision and foresight was his support of our efforts to organize in non-traditional professions.
“Region 9A organized 36,000 new members in the past four years, many in non-traditional work. From faculty members and research assistants at NYU, to child care workers to the members of the Graphic Artists Guild — which affiliated with the UAW — our union gained new members and new strength. We couldn’t have achieved these successes without Yokich’s support and encouragement.
“Steve’s leadership saw unprecedented gains for women in the UAW, many of whom were promoted to key leadership positions. Also, his support for working families was more than just a slogan. Not only did he help us organize child care workers, but he negotiated child care benefits for many of our members, then practiced what he preached by providing free child care for delegates at UAW conventions.
“Professionally, Steve was a street-smart guy who was always willing to fight the good fight for our membership. Personally, I always enjoyed his great sense of humor.”
Phil Wheeler is director of UAW Region 9A.
Union for all workers
“The UAW is fortunate to have had the leadership of Stephen P. Yokich, a real trade unionist who fought tirelessly for the rights of those who were less fortunate. He had the courage of his convictions, never backing away from a fight that he felt would benefit the union.
“Yokich will probably be best remembered for changing the direction of organizing. He believed that the future of our union is in the IPS/TOP sector and made it a top priority to bring the unorganized into the UAW.
“Region 1C was the benefactor of many successful IPS/TOP campaigns. Under Yokich’s direction, 22,000 State of Michigan employees were organized and 8,000 of them were added to our region. Other successful drives were Eagle Picher, Sparrow Hospital, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Lansing City and County Employees. Steve’s focus was to make the UAW a Union for All Workers.
“Like Walter Reuther, Steve understood the power of the ballot box and was the first to negotiate Election Day as a holiday in the automotive sector. This allowed us not only to get our members out to vote but to assist others in getting to the polls, thereby electing representatives who share our views.
“Stephen P. Yokich was union through and through — a loyal friend, a tough negotiator and a visionary.”
Bob Roth is director of UAW Region 1C.
Working-class hero
“I want to thank him for all the wonderful diversity he brought to the union. He is absolutely the working-class hero. I think Yokich being Arab American himself had a lot to do with that. I think he understood some of the things minorities go through and that’s including women.
“I’m really glad he had the insight to know that we needed family programs. He’s tried to make it where you could have your mind at ease at work, where you didn’t have to worry about your children while you are worried about your job on the line.”
Jannie Burkhamer is a member of UAW Local 2209.
